Architects in Action has been AIA’s premier annual policy and advocacy event. For more than 30 years, the State & Local Government Network has offered leaders like you an opportunity to discuss pressing legislative issues and learn directly from your colleagues. In 2021, Architects in Action delivered more of what you love — thought-provoking guest speakers, stimulating conversations with our peers, inspiring workshops on emerging state and local issues, and the resources we need to strengthen our advocacy programs.

This event was held virtually July 14-16, 2021, and included some of the following topics:

• Open discussions and listening sessions with the AIA Advocacy & Relationships Department on state and local policy issues
  ■ Speakers — Sarah Dodge, Cindy Schwartz, Kara Kempski, Anne Law and Paula Seidel
  
  
• General Session — AIA policy and Codes updates and managing expectations
  ■ Speakers — Robert Ivy, Anne Law, Michael Winn, Gwen Berlekamp, Sarah Dodge, Mayor Chockwe Antar Lumumba
  
  
• “Building Relationships with Legislators” — During this session, Tony Massaro discusses how to “Power Map the legislator.” His approach consisted of finding out what is important to your legislator, who their contributors are, community connections and how best to engage them and/or their staff.
  ■ Speakers — Tony Massaro and Council President Tom Hucker
  
  
• “Aligning Policy and Advocacy Objectives with Local Politics” — A presentation on “green|spaces,” a nonprofit located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, dedicated to advancing sustainable living working and building in the region, followed by a discussion on tailoring advocacy efforts to the realities of your state and local politics.
  ■ Speakers — Michael Walton and Matt Lyle
  
  
• Current AIA Resources – Breakout session to introduce , or reintroduce, state and local leaders to the extensive library of advocacy and policy resources available to all AIA components through the State and Local Government Network or other AIA channels.
  ■ Speakers — Anne Law, Davon Gray and Meghan Holiban
  
  
• “Climate Action & Healthy and Equitable Communities” — Learn about how the AIA Architect’s Policy Platform, and the specific objectives related to climate action and healthy and equitable communities, can inform your specific state and local advocacy efforts.
  ■ Speakers — Michael Winn
  
  
• PAC’n a Punch + The Ethical Responsibilities of an Architects’ PAC — Discussion on how to elevate the importance of your PAC in a way that creatively engages your membership and shifts the advocacy culture to an inclusive one. Learn how to integrate all career stages in PAC participation so that the process is sustainable now and into the future.
  ■ Speakers — Todd Dolson, Sean Reilly and David Southerland

AIA and SLGN continue to track legislation and topics of particular interest to our profession and provide us with the information and tools to make informed decisions and how to approach these topics with our legislators and constituents. This year’s topics and discussion panels were extremely interesting and informative, and I would strongly encourage our membership to attend next year’s event. You will not be disappointed.